AMATEUR FOOTBALL: Dreghorn pull off cup shock

BEST performance of the weekend came from Third Division AFC Dreghorn who travelled to Premier League Knockentiber and claimed the scalp of one of amateur football’s legendary teams with a 3-1 extra time Donsport Trophy win.

BEST performance of the weekend came from Third Division AFC Dreghorn who travelled to Premier League Knockentiber and claimed the scalp of one of amateur football’s legendary teams with a 3-1 extra time Donsport Trophy win.

Donsport Trophy quarter-finals

LOCAL heroes AFC Dreghorn claimed a notable scalp with a 3-1 extra time win at Premier League Knockentiber. Both teams went at it hammer and tongs from the off and it was ‘Tiber who broke the deadlock midway through the half only to see Jamie Richmond rise highest to bullet home a right wing John Thomson cross just before the break. There were chances galore in the second half but none were taken, meaning Dreghorn were forced to go into extra time for the first time ever, but the big travelling support was in raptures when John Martin turned home a James Patrick pass within seconds of the restart. Dreghorn seemed to grow stronger by the second and they wrapped up a famous victory in 116 minutes when Kevin Conway cut in from the right and skipped past a couple of tackles before cutting the ball back for Craig Paterson to rifle home the killer third goal.

Division One

LACKLUSTRE Ardrossan Castle Rovers were no match for determined Winlinton Wolves as the Irvine outfit moved closer to their title rivals with a 3-1 win at St Matthew's. David Gillies put Wolves ahead in 12 minutes with a clever back-header from a Paul Todman long throw but the visitors had to wait until just after the restart for number two, Ross Davidson heading home a Dougie Spence corner. Home keeper Craig Richmond kept his team in the game with a series of good saves from Jordan McMutrie but was beaten again in 65 minutes when McMurtrie drifted past two defenders and squared to Craig Gillies who beat the full back and rounded the keeper before slotting the ball home. Castle kept plugging away but failed to get behind a well-drilled Wolves defence until nine minutes from time when Robert McLaughlan fouled Paul Brookes in the box and he he got up to drill the penalty home.

Division Two

DEFENCES were on top as Dirrans Athletic came back from Craigie with a 0-0 draw. The Kilwinning side failed to take the few chances they made in the first period and although Craigie made the early running after the break, they too were unable to find the net. Dirrans came back but were denied by some good goalkeeping and had their own keeper Roy McGregor to thank for earning them a point with a terrific save five minutes from the end. The referee chose Graeme Muir as Dirrans Man of the Match.

GIRDLE Toll United continued on their winning ways with a 2-1 home victory over Troon in what was a pretty poor game. Craig McGinn capped a good spell of Toll pressure with the opening goal midway through the first half but they then fell away and lost a controversial equaliser when a Troon shot came down off the underside of the bar, but although the ball clearly had not crossed the line, the ref awarded a goal. Both teams played poorly after the break but Toll grabbed the winner with a Tam Wilson spot kick after a player had been barged from behind in the penalty box.

Division Three

THE points were more important than the performance as Woodwynd Wolves took a step nearer the title with a 3-0 home win over Kilmarnock Town. After a poor first 20 minutes the game suddenly sprung into life as the Kilwinning side destroyed their opponents with a three-goal burst. Bryan Boylan set the ball rolling when he latched onto a long clearance from keeper Matt Barr to fire home in 21 minutes then he doubled Wolves tally with a identical effort moments later. The game was effectively all over when Killie lost possession straight from the restart, conceded a throw-in and the ball was launched into the box for Mick Westcott to make it 3-0. Good football was at a premium after the break and although Wolves made a few chances they never looked like taking them.